Diaries are wonderful objects that give writers a chance to let out pent up emotions, record dreams or ideas, and reflect on daily life. Though there is no single, definitive way to write a diary, there are a number of simple tips you can use to make each entry something meaningful.

Overview

When starting your diary, write about things you find important like your daily life or dreams. You don't need to write every day - instead, use your diary when you need it! Remember: you’re the only person who will see these entries, so be honest and use as many details as you want. Keep track of your entries by including the date, or try adding titles based on the most important thing that happened each day. For tips on labeling each diary entry, or advice on how to hide your diary from others, read on!

Steps

Sample Diary Entries

Part 1

Making Decisions about Your Diary

1

Consider your diary requirements. The type of diary you choose depends on your writing style, personal preferences, and other factors. Take some time to consider diary type before purchasing a diary.

Take your handwriting into consideration. How big do you usually write? If you have small, neat handwriting a diary with smaller margins and line spaces might be ideal. If your handwriting tends to be bigger and messier, opt for a diary with larger margins. You could even choose a diary with white pages and no lines--this is especially good if you like to sketch alongside your writings.

How durable do you want your diary to be? Something like a moleskin notebook is somewhat expensive, around $15 to $20, but it's very durable. You may be able to find cheaper diaries at supermarkets, craft stores, and thrift/charity shops.

Do you plan on carrying your diary with you? Many people like to have a diary or notebook on their person at all times to write down day-to-day observations. If that's your plan, consider purchasing a pocket-sized or small diary that can easily fit in a purse or tote bag.

If you live with other people and want privacy, consider a diary with a lock. However, keep in mind diary locks are sometimes flimsy and easily broken.

There are websites that allow you to keep a diary online. One benefit to this is that it takes up less space and many people feel more comfortable typing than writing by hand. However, privacy is an issue. Even if your site is password protected, your privacy is never 100% secure online. Someone might stumble on your diary online and gain access to your personal information.

2

Decide where to store your diary. If you want to keep your diary private, find a discreet place to store it in your home. Consider hiding it under your mattress, under your clothes in a dresser drawer, or any other place where people are unlikely to poke around. If you're not worried about privacy, keep your diary in an easy-to-reach place close to your desk, bed, or wherever you plan on writing.

3

Consider how you'll mark entries. There are various manners you can mark entries in a diary. Some people enjoy dating their entries so they'll remember the rough timeframe when rereading their works. You can include the day of the week and time the entry was written, or simply put the date. Other people prefer short titles to each entry. Be creative and have fun. Use whatever method feels right for you.[1]

Some people use signatures to mark entries. If you enjoy leaving a signature, feel free to do so. However, privacy may be an issue. If your diary is accidentally lost, the words will be linked to you. If you're recording particularly private thoughts, you may not want this. Consider initials instead.

Part 2

Writing Diary Entries

1

Be honest. Diaries can be cognitively beneficial. A study at University of California showed that writing about feelings honestly helps the brain regulate emotion.[2] As you write your diary, try to be as honest as possible in your entries. This is good for your emotional well-being.

Many people find diary writing cathartic because they can let go of inhibitions on the page and truly be themselves. Feel free to record your emotions, both positive and negative, in their entirety in your diary.[3]

Let go of worries about the quality of your writing. Your diary is a safe space for you to vent and share without the pressures of external judgment. Try to take a few minutes at the beginning of each entry to simply free write. That is, write quickly and without inhibition. Jot down the first things that come to mind when considering your day, current mood, and any feelings you're struggling with.[4]

Many people have epiphanies about themselves and their relationships through honest diary writing. Be open to learning about yourself as you write.[5]

2

Decide what to write about. There are many different types of diaries. Some people use diaries to record daily events. Others use them to chronicle dreams. If you're working towards a goal, like losing weight or completing a creative project, a diary can be a great means to discuss your feelings and progress. Some people record a mix of different things in their diary. It's up to you what you feel is important to record.

3

Use lots of details. Diaries are also important as they preserve moments in their immediate aftermath. Memory is fickle and precise details of an event tend to blur with time. Use details in your diary entries to try to preserve the moment.[6]

Think about your past before you begin writing in your diary. What do you wish you remembered? Do you wish you had better memories of your grandmother's laugh? Do you wish you took greater time to commit to memory the smell of your childhood bedroom on Thanksgiving morning as your mother fixed breakfast? Use these longings as a guide in your diary. Record, in detail, those moments that feel precious to you and that you'll long to recall later on.[7]

However, you decide how much and what detail you want to write. Some people really want a lot of detail, for others, a few notes will do. This is your diary, and you get to decide what your focus is.

You should be as honest in your descriptions as you are in your venting. You want your diary to preserve your memories and perspective of an event. Talk about things in terms that make sense to you. [8]

4

Maintain a schedule. Many people struggle to find the time to write a diary entry each day. If you're interested in maintaining a diary, try to stick to something of a schedule.

Write in your diary around the same time each day. This way, writing in your diary will become as much a part of your schedule as brushing your teeth at night or showering in the morning.[9]

Do not set a schedule you do not think you can keep. If you don't reasonably think you'll be able to write in your diary every night, don't commit yourself to doing so. Instead, choose a more lax schedule. Plan on writing an entry 3 times a week instead.

Pick a time to write where you do not have other obligations or external time constraints.

5

Write short entries when you're pressed for time. Everyone gets busy from time-to-time. If you're in a rush, just write a shorter entry. Jot down the bare minimum of your feelings and thoughts. Get out whatever feels most pressing and immediate. You can always record more about an event later in the week when you have time. Simply try to get out the basic details before you forget.[10]

Part 3

Personalizing Your Diary

1

Add illustrations. If you want make your diary more personal, consider adding illustrations. This can be a fun way to make your diary more personal, and can also make it more interesting to look back at. Some people find it easier to draw than write in words - and that's great!

Some people having a particular illustration or type of illustration on each page. For example, if you have a cat you're attached to you could draw a small sketch of your cat at the bottom of each page. If you want to get more detailed, consider drawing the cat different based on seasons. In the summer, he could be wearing sunglasses. He could be sledding in the winter.[11]

You could also include illustrations of some the material you're writing about. You could add a small sketch at the end of the entry or sketch in the margins. Draw pictures of the people you saw that day, the food you ate, the movies you watched, really anything memorable.[12]

2

Alter the cover. Some diaries come with decorative covers, but some are plain. If your cover is simply dull, you might want to add decoration. You can write your name in colorful, fun lettering. You can add stickers or glue on cut outs from magazines or newspapers. You can draw on the cover with colored pencils or markers. You can cover the diary with patterned duct tape. Have fun and be creative.

3

Buy a personalized journal. You can purchase personalized journals online if you don't feel comfortable crafting yourself. You can usually choose from a handful of illustrations or templates and can add things like your name and address to the inside cover. Some journals, usually marketed towards a younger audience, may include writing prompts and fill in the blank pages inside.

4

Do not go overboard. Remember, it's a diary and not a scrapbook. It can be fun to add mementos like concert tickets, photographs, and brochures from places you've visited. However, adding too much can make your diary look like a scrapbook. A diary should be primarily used for writing rather than collaging.

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Community Q&A

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What is the best way to start a diary entry?

wikiHow Contributor

You could say, "Dear Diary", "Today was ____ (horrible, awesome, embarrassing, etc.)" Or just start by writing about the most interesting thing that happened today. Be creative; there are no rules you have to follow.

Being honest with yourself and writing about your feelings will help most of the time. If you are feeling very frustrated, angry, sad or anything else and you can't talk with anyone about it, writing it in a diary can relieve it a bit. Being honest with yourself is a good way to learn more about how you think and react, which can help you to learn how to manage your feelings well.

It's your diary. You can skip the day, if you want. Just note that it was a very relaxing day or maybe jot down your upcoming plans. But you make the rules with your diary. The choices are always yours. That's what makes it personal.

You could hide it in your room if you don't share one, but it depends on what furniture you have. If you have younger siblings, hide it somewhere high where they can't reach it. If you have older siblings, put it somewhere locked and keep the keys somewhere really secret, or you can put the key on a necklace and wear it all the time. They'll never be able to get it!

There are many things you could write about. Some things include: Write about your school life. What are your teachers like? What do you have for homework? Write about your social life. Who are your friends? What did you say back to that bully that beat you up yesterday? Write about extra-curricular activities. Do you have a different perspective about math club? Do you think that you are practicing enough each day on your viola?

Can I write in my diary more than once a day? Like if it is really important?

wikiHow Contributor

There is no set amount of times for writing in your diary. You can write in it as many or as few times as you wish. It doesn't even have to be important. It's completely up to you when you write in your diary.

You may hear stories about people who have wonderful lives and you think their diaries would be super interesting. But nobody is perfect and those people have something that stresses them out too! Just do the best you can and if there's something you want to do, go for it.